Amount Has Not Been Disclosed, But Rumors Have it At Hovering Around $150 Million.
Bratz doll manufacturer MGA Entertainment, Inc., fresh after its copyright infringement win in a jury trial venued in Santa Ana federal court against Mattel, has moved to recover fees of an unknown amount through recently-filed, redacted motion papers. In support of its request, MGA reminded U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter that Mattel spent $400 million on fees and expenses during the 6 years of litigation over the Bratz doll. District Judge Carter ordered that a fee expert review billing records in the case.
MGA is seeking fees under 17 U.S.C. § 505, a copyright statutory provision allowing a court to award fees in its equitable discretion, not restrained by having to find the matter was frivolous, brought in bad faith, or an exceptional case as conditions to any fee recovery.
However, MGA’s CEO Isaac Larian has publicly estimated that his company spent $150 million in fees to litigate the matter. Stay tuned for further developments.